2011 NFL Mock Draft: A.J. Green to the Cincinnati Bengals?

It’s almost that time of year, when owners, coaches, general managers, and the rest of the front office lock themselves in a room and heavily debate which players to draft to improve the team. This room is called the “War Room” for a reason. Everyone in this room is heavily opinionated and has become attached to a prospect that they don’t believe the team can do without.

In this segment, we will put ourselves in the war room and go over the picks we believe teams need to make when they’re on the clock. We’ll cover all 32 teams, but today’s segment is dedicated to the: Cincinnati Bengals.

I’d be very surprised if Carson Palmerputs on a Bengals jersey again. Cincinnati needs to move on and think about the future without the two-time pro bowler and former Heisman winner. They’re more likely to take a passer in the early second round, or even trade into the bottom of the first to grab a guy like Andy Dalton or Christian Ponder, than to take a quarterback fourth overall. The Bengals have plenty of other needs on offense as well. They need a running back of the future, some wide receivers and even some offensive linemen. All of those needs could be addressed in the early or middle rounds.

The defense needs work, too. They’ll need to find a defensive end to put pressure on the quarterback. The Bengals may consider Da’Quan Bowers at the fourth overall selection, but indications are that teams aren’t as high on arguably the draft’s top talent because of injury concerns. It’s probably too early to grab Robert Quinn here, too, so the Bengals may look to rounds two, three or four to address the need at defensive end. Other defensive needs include safety and inside linebacker.

Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft

Round 1 (#4): A.J. Green, WR, Georgia Bulldogs: You don’t draft a receiver before you have a quarterback, right? When you can get a guy like Green and then a passer in the second (or late first if you make some moves), you do it. Green is a special kind of player that doesn’t come around every year.

Round 2 (#35): Andy Dalton, QB, TCU Horned Frogs: The Bengals reportedly like Dalton. They could trade up into the bottom of the first round to grab him, but there’s a chance he could be available in the early second, too.

Round 3 (#66): Tyler Sash, SS, Iowa Hawkeyes: Sash would help to solidify the secondary, where the corner play has been solid, but help at safety is needed. Free agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph is expected to return, but if Cincinnati believes he could leave, cornerback will also be a need.

Round 4 (#101): Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh Panthers: Romeus is coming off an injury, but he was productive in previous seasons. The Bengals need help in the pass rush and could address the need earlier if they think they can get good value in the third round.

Round 7 (#207): Zach Hurd, G, Connecticut Huskies: Some help along the offensive line may be a target in this draft. Hurd could be available in the early seventh.

Round 7 (#246): Eddie Jones, DE, Texas Longhorns: The Bengals need to improve the pass rush. The Bengals may use their seventh round picks to bolster the line of scrimmage.

That’s how it played out in our Mock of the Green Bay Packers “War Room”

Please Note: We will be Hosting a LIVE CHAT during the 2011 NFL Draft. Please join us and take part in the discussion in the room. We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions as the 2011 NFL Draft progresses in real time.

Danny Hobrock, is our College Football Editor and NCAA Football On-Air Personality. Danny's writing on College Pigskin has garnered national attention and has been critically acclaimed. You may email Danny directly @ danny.hobrock@rotoexperts.com or follow him on Twitter @DannyHobrock